After a COVID-19 vaccine is authorized or approved for use by the FDA, many vaccine safety monitoring systems watch for adverse events (possible side effects). This ongoing monitoring can pick up on adverse events that may not have been seen in clinical trials. If an unexpected adverse event is seen, experts quickly study it further to see if it is a true safety concern. Experts then decide whether changes are needed in US vaccine recommendations.

In New York State, an added level of review was established to ensure COVID vaccine safety. Following FDA approval, experts on New York State's independent COVID-19 Vaccine Clinical Advisory Task Force thoroughly review vaccine research before recommending any vaccine to New Yorkers. Three COVID-19 vaccines have currently been approved by both the FDA and New York State's independent Clinical Advisory Task Force: Pfizer/BioNTech , Johnson and Johnson, and Moderna.
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No. None of the vaccines being studied are made up of materials that can cause disease. For example, the first vaccine approved by the FDA uses a small, harmless part of the virus's genetic material called 'mRNA'. This is not the virus. mRNA vaccines teach your body to create virus proteins. Your immune system develops antibodies against these proteins that will help you fight the virus that causes COVID-19 if you are exposed to it. That is called an immune response.
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Yes, COVID-19 vaccination is recommended for people who are pregnant, breastfeeding, trying to get pregnant now, or who might become pregnant in the future. As of June 20, 2022, the CDC has recommended vaccination for children 6 months and older.
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No. The CDC does not recommend COVID-19 screening tests before getting a COVID-19 vaccine.
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Yes. COVID-19 vaccination is especially important for people with underlying health problems like heart disease, lung disease, diabetes, and obesity. People with these conditions are more likely to get very sick from COVID-19. Please consult with your health care provider if you have specific questions about the COVID vaccine and your health.
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Yes. CDC recommends that you get vaccinated even if you have already had COVID-19, because you can catch it more than once. While you may have some short-term antibody protection after recovering from COVID-19, we don't know how long this protection will last.
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You may not notice any changes in how you feel after getting the shot. But it's also possible to feel a little "under the weather." This can happen after any vaccine. It is the body's immune response to getting vaccinated and a sign that the vaccine is starting to work.

After the COVID-19 vaccine, you may have:
• A sore arm where you got the shot
• A headache
• Chills
• Fever
• Tiredness

Over the counter pain relievers and fever reducers may help. You should feel better in a day or two. If you still don't feel well after two or three days, talk to your health care provider.
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People can have allergic reactions to any medication or biological product such as a vaccine. Most allergic reactions occur shortly after a vaccine is administered, which is why the CDC recommends that persons with a history of anaphylaxis (due to any cause) are observed for 30 minutes after vaccination, while all other persons are observed for 15 minutes after vaccination. All vaccination sites must be equipped to ensure appropriate medical treatment is available in the event of an unlikely allergic reaction. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends anyone with an allergy to "any component" of the vaccine not get the vaccine.
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No serious side effects related to the vaccines have been reported. Common side effects that have been observed in clinical studies include fatigue, muscle soreness at the injection site and fever.
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No. While you may have some short-term antibody protection after recovering from COVID-19, we don't know how long this protection lasts. Vaccination is the best protection, and it is safe. People who get COVID-19 can have serious illnesses, and some have debilitating symptoms that persist for months.
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Researchers do not yet know how long immunity lasts after vaccination. That's why continuing prevention practices like wearing a mask, washing your hands regularly and social distancing will still be important.
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'Herd immunity' happens when enough people have protection from a disease that it is unlikely that the disease will continue to spread. As a result, the virus won't easily spread among the community. Experts do not know what percentage of people would need to get vaccinated to achieve herd immunity to COVID-19. They also do not know how long the vaccine will protect people.
Letting COVID-19 spread through communities naturally would lead to unnecessary infections, suffering and death.
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Yes. Currently, three vaccines have been authorized by the FDA, and more vaccines are expected.
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All three of the currently available COVID vaccines in the United States require booster shots to remain effective.
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Yes. The COVID-19 vaccines will be available at no cost.
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